Russian VAT changes for online sellers

Russia plans to introduce a VAT scheme of online sellers of goods. The Association of Internet Companies in Russia has proposed the government to implement a scheme where foreign businesses selling goods online are subject to the same VAT rules as local businesses.

Following this proposal, VAT on online sales of goods has been included in the list of areas to be developed in the fiscal policy that the Ministry of Finance will publish in the coming months. The changes announced are expected to enter into force between 2018 and 2019.

Regarding e-services, the Russian Ministry of Finance has also published a new website for foreign suppliers of electronic services. The content of the website is in English and it includes forms, manuals, a section to apply for a VAT registration and a questionnaire to determine if a foreign company is required to register in Russia. The website is available here.